It’s interesting to reflect on the “ancient cities of Iran”. They reflect the diversity of Persian architecture, and also the succession of different Iranian kingdoms shaped unique cultural characteristics. Cities with monuments that bear witness to a bygone era stretch from the south up to the north. If you are interested in the history of Iranian cities so fasten your seatbelt tightly as you begin an adventure of discovery into ancient Persian society.
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Iran’s ancient cities bear witness to this rich history. Today, some have disappeared, others retain only residual traces of their ancient splendor, while others are still standing. Iran has many old cities. These ancient cities, cradles of history, civilization and ancient Persian society, still possess vestiges of the Achaemenids, Parthians, Sassanids and other Iranian kingdoms that have disappeared, but are not lost to memory.
Remnants of ancient Persia can be seen everywhere in Iran. There are ancient cities in Fars, Bushehr, Kerman, Hamadan and other provinces, each with its own history, rulers, people and culture. They bear witness to over thirty centuries of living Persian civilization. What’s more, some of Iran’s ancient cities are still active today, even if they are no longer in their heyday.
Naqsh-e-Rostam
The Iranians of ancient times, the Achaemenids, Parthians and Sassanids of Persia, were certainly happy, honest and prosperous men. The Iranians of that era built magnificent castles and dwellings for their kings, for their God and for themselves, even though they lacked coin. There are still traces of the ancient Persian cities, solid and beautiful, vestiges of the Persian passion for reading, teaching, worship and progress, mixed with the cultural, cultic and social traits of the ancient Persian architects, who never ceased to make their own mark.
Persepolis
Persia knew three ancient kingdoms:
The first and best-known (Achaemenid kingdom) was founded by Cyrus the Great, whose traces can still be seen in several ancient Iranian cities. The Achaemenid era saw Zoroastrianism blossom into the Iranian religion. Achaemenid cities were mainly located in the province of Fars. The Achaemenids handed down numerous royalties, with each capital selected for a specific designation: Susa for winter days (warm climate) and Hegmataneh for summer days (cooler climate). On the other hand, Pasargadae and Persepolis were ceremonial capitals, where their celebrations such as coronations, etc., took place.
The second Iranian-Ancient kingdom, known as Parthian, was founded by Arashk I. Tisfoun, a Parthian city, is today’s Iraqi city in every respect. The last Iranian kingdom, and by no means the least, the Sassanid, was founded by Ardeshir Babakan, who defeated the last Parthian king (his victory has been confirmed)! For four hundred years, the Parthians dominated Iran, retaining the city of Tisfoun as their capital. This period saw the rise of Zoroastrianism, and their many cities in ancient Sassanid Iran are adorned with fire temples of this kind.
Tomb of Cyrus the Great
At the end of the day, many factors contributed to making a particular city the capital of ancient Iran in other times. Some heady cities were chosen for their climate (it’s advisable for a king not to catch a cold, not to expose himself to the sun), others for their sacred monuments or their economic benefits (money makes you happy), and still others according to their geographical accessibility or their distance from enemy frontiers. In any case, the capitals of ancient Iran do not sum up the entirety of ancient Iranian cities, and some of them are older than the ancient period, foremost among which are the names of some of the most famous ancient Persian cities in the world:
In this monumental space, Darius the Great founded one of the ceremonial capitals of the Achaemenids, designed to prove that the grandeur and exceptional status of the empire! Iranian architects dug into the mountain just as one digs to build, and erected this city at the corner of the mountain to protect it from earthquakes. This was done in harmony, say archaeologists, with the chosen natural features, such as mountains and plains, to achieve an optimum urbanization strategy. But this city was not designed for public life as we know it. Historians believe that Persepolis was the place for ceremonies concerning the king and his vassals. One historical source mentions the celebration in Persepolis of two Iranian festivals (Nowruz – the New Year – and Mehregan).
gateway to the nations
gateway to the nations
Bishapur, one of Iran’s most popular ancient cities, was built in 266 AD, on the orders of Shahpour I. This capital of ancient Iran was built on a rectangular site, with four gates and two roads crossing in two. Bishapur was divided into two parts. The first district included the castle, the temple of Anahita, the Shahpour festival hall and other royal sites, while the second was a public city (including houses, forums, baths, caravanserais etc.). This city was protected by high mountains, deep rivers and other surrounding natural sites. There are many historical and ancient remains, typical of ancient Iranian cities, such as:
Ancient city of Bishapur
Susa is one of Iran’s most emblematic ancient cities, with remains dating back more than 4,000 years. The city of Susa (Shush) is an ancient capital of Iran, located in the province of Khouzestan, which is still the subject of study after more than 4,000 years, with so many remains and historical monuments that a book should be dedicated to them. The city’s most visited castle is Apadana, the Achemenid castle. Other astonishing vestiges of Susa and the surrounding central entity are :
suse
This city was built in the 7th century BC and was the capital of the kingdom of the Medes. Numerous relics and historical artifacts have been found, enough to inspire Laura Croft . Hegmataneh (or Ecbatane) was in ancient times Ecbatana and is today located in Hamadan. Hegmataneh, this ancient Iranian-Medieval city, is home to a museum where ancient objects from the Medes, Achaemenids, Parthians, Sassanids and post-Ancient kingdoms are happily intermingled. The hill on which Hegmataneh stands, on the outskirts of the city of Hamadan, is where ruins and remnants of the ancient city still stand, and traces include archaeological and architectural clues that shed light well beyond preconceived ideas on what urban planning looked like at the time. The houses of the ancient Iranians had vast rooms, courtyards and salons, as well as graceful algebrances of roads and water.
In the province of Bushehr on the shores of the Persian Gulf, a picturesque ancient port already nicknamed Taheri by the locals, Siraf has been active for over 1,500 years. This Chirazian city features remnants of the Sassanid kingdom. In those days, it was a trading port for the kingdom. Iranian merchants were able to leave for various countries, and merchants from Rome, Asia and Africa came to stock up on products imported into Persia. Historical remains, ancient tombs, etc., bear witness to the peaceful and safe coexistence of different religions in this city. Some claim that violent tsunamis submerged ancient parts of the city under the sea. However, this should not obscure the fact that many remains can still be seen today. The cemetery, caves and ancient holes bear witness to this.
Ancient city of Siraf
Meybod is one of Iran’s most remarkable ancient cities in the province of Yazd, standing like a gem of good fortune in the desert. Some historians claim that it was the first center of sedentarization. The city’s most prized historical monument is Narin Castle. It is said to have been the world’s first government castle. Perhaps this ancient character has given rise to mythical tales about the castle. Some talk of a castle built by the prophet Solomon to hide his treasures. To find out more about Meybod, you should know that the town has a good qanat network, and the need for access to water has encouraged a sedentary settlement.
Narin Meybod Castle
From Persepolis to Meybod, Iran’s ancient cities plunge you into the heart of an exceptional heritage.
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